Shady GoFundMe for Big Dipper at Geauga Lake

My dad insists you have to add 'S to the store name: Meijer's. And I don't mean that's just a linguistic habit; he insists that's the "right" way to say the store name, instead of, y'know, what it says on the sign.

(This has led to me jokingly saying Target's and Walmart's for effect.)

Around these parts, stores get a "The" in front of the name. Someone might say they're going to McDonald's for lunch, and then they're going to The Meijer to shop.

I'm guilty of the adding the 'S to Meijer.

Tekwardo said:

This was just last spring.

I wrote the article a couple of years ago. I guess there will just have to be a flawed RollerCoaster! magazine article in the world... :-)

Folks in Canton added an "s" to Timken and Hoover.

Around here we go to The White Castles, The Walmarts, The Targets, and the rich folks go to The Nordstroms.

All of my Pittsburgh relatives go to The Walmarts, The Costcos, and get gas as "The Sheetz'es"

slither - as a grounded in reality but still big fan and supporter of the old park, I would love to read your article. Is there a link anywhere?

Hey, The RCMAC, I was just at The Jewel and The Aldi, but before I go to The Walgreen's* I thought I'd check The Coasterbuzz. Can I pick up something for you at The Trader Joe's or The Best Buy? :-)

BrettV -- there's no link. If you email or PM me I can send you a pdf.

*see what I did there?

Just don't eat any Chipoltay's before riding THE CYCLONE.

I've never heard Pittsburgh people put the "The" at the beginning. A vast number make all stores possessive, though. It's Giant Eagle's, Target's, Best Buy's, etc. I imagine it's something that's a remnant of when most stores were family owned and had the apostrophe-s in the name... Kaufmann's, Horne's, Kuhn's, Murphy's, and so on.

I'm guessing that's what it is. And maybe it's just easier than remembering which stores do and don't have the possessive.

And on that note:

kpjb said:

A vast number make all stores possessive, though. It's Giant Eagle's, Target's, Best Buy's, etc

TECHNICALLY they aren't wrong if they are referring to "the store which the Best Buy company runs," it would be Best Buy's store, or Best Buy's.

I learned something today. If I have to go to Kohl's, I am *never* going to the one at Midtowne Park.

I miss the park too but I don't understand why all these people can't get the idea through their heads that the time to scream and cry and fuss would have been back in 2007 when there was still a park to save. There is no park now, just vacant land and an SBNO coaster in questionable condition. I'm not sure at this point if Dipper standing means there's any hope or if it would be better to just push it over and stop prolonging the agony. Like a band aid, just get it over with. I honestly don't know anymore.

The gofundme craze is getting ridiculous. One was started for a family member of mine a few years ago but theirs was to try to get money to send my cousin's little girl to Disney World because she was a few moths shy of the age requirement for Make A Wish. The kind of thing it should be used for... The things people are asking money for now are just crazy. Why am I stressing over my finances? Maybe I should just start a gofundme for my new septic system. I'll throw a party when we reach the goal and everyone who donates gets to use the facilities LOL.

The description has completely changed now in the main page and they have 3 "options" as to what they are going to do. Looks like it will all depend on if "cedar fairs" lets them keep it on site.

It blows my mind that they have actually raised $385 on this.

That's about what the coaster is worth now, isn't it? Maybe less?

The grammar on the page is laughable. This guy is just going to take the money and run.

"Once I get the dipper I'm see what I can do I got 3 options."

If my mind wasn't already made up just that would be all I'd need.

Besides, I clearly see a fourth option.

The comments are getting good there. You got your folks trying their best to ask pertinent questions and explain the reality of the situation as politely as they can. Then you got the supporters telling those folks to shut up and not be so negative. (Ms. "Faith" apparently can't help herself and is still chiming in.)
I loved and miss Big Dipper with all my heart, but what a big ole buncha crackpots.

Guys, I know we're not supposed to make fun of the well-intentioned, but... well... I'll do anything for a high five, so... ;-)

I was taken by the statement that they intend to make it a non-profit so they can get donations from around the US. As if peeps are sitting around the country trying to decide what cause they want to give to (American Cancer Society, Red Cross, etc) and suddenly they will be taken by the opportunity to give to the fund to purchase a SBNO roller coaster they have never ridden from a town they never heard of and for which the next step of the plan is to decide what to do. Yep. That's realistic. I wish them well.